Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 2 Timothy 2:3-7 NIV
While in active duty, soldiers don’t get overly involved in civilian affairs because they need to stay focused on their military assignment. In times of war, lives are at stake and distractions are costly. Being in the military is not like working a nine to five job. An effective soldier commits day and night and stays focused on the task at hand. He’s diligent to carry out his assignment, following his commanding officer’s instructions, without delay and without wavering, even when they call for suffering and endurance.
The Bible clearly declares that, as Christians, we are engaged in spiritual warfare, and make no mistake, our enemy fights with a vengeance! We too, if we’re not careful, can get entangled, or caught up in, things that have no spiritual significance and very quickly be distracted from the mission God has for us. There is far too much at stake for us to allow this to happen!
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 NIV
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:11-12 NIV
Good soldiers train hard; they spend many hours in preparation for the battle ahead! They become both physically fit and mentally sharp.
…in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. 2 Corinthians 2:11 NIV
They learn to work in unity, realizing that they are far stronger together than any one operating alone.
We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense. 2 Corinthians 6:7 NLT
All soldiers are trained to use their weapons effectively, so they will have the greatest chance of victory whether they are initiating the attack or defending against the enemy. A good army is well equipped with the tools they need for success. God, our commander in chief, provides all the weaponry we need to win the battle and make it through victorious in Christ!
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 NIV
The life of the soldier mirrors the Christian life in so many ways. Lord, help us be the best soldiers we can be!